Adjustable picture frame molding



June 15, 1965 c. s. STICKNEY 3,189,136

AJ JJUS'IABLE BICTURE FRAME MOLDING Filed July 3, 1962 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig./

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I 22 28 25 22 Y 38 ls-m :C. S. STICKNEY ADJUSTABLE PICTURE FRAME MOLDING June 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1962 Carson 5. .Sfickney 1N VEN TOR.

3,189,136 Patented June 15, 1 965 United States Patent OfifiCe ADJUSTABLE PICTURE FRAME MOLPING Carson -S. Sticlmey, Rte. 4, Bryan, Ohio Filed July 3, 1962, Ser. No. 207,250 6 Claims. (Cl. 18936) The present invention generally relates to picture frames, and more particularly to a novel picture frame molding consisting of an elongated strip of rigidmaterial Capable of being easily severed'by conventional cutting tcols such asla hack saw, the strip being provided with means for guiding the cutting tool along'a predetermined line, thus enabling the reduction in the length of the strip in accordance'with either the length 'or the height of a picture, and the combination of the strip with three other similar strips so as to form a rectangular frame for the picture to be enclosed.

As will be appreciated, one frequently encounters a great deal of difiiculty in finding the proper size picture frame either because of the picture not being of a standard size, orbecause of the reluctance of many retailers to stock a Wide range of d litferent size frames due to the storage problems involved. Because of such situations, one is generally required to rely on custom built frames, the cost of which is generally prohibitive especially in those situations where the'fram'ingof a relatively-inexpensive picture is desired.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention resides in the provision of means for providing a frame capable of adjustment for accommodating a wide range of different size picture therein at both a minimum cost and a minimum amount of effort.

In line with the above object, another object of the present invention resides in the provision of picture frame molding strips which can be quickly and accurately adjusted to size by the use of only a hacksaw blade, with four strips so adjusted then being just as quickly assembled into a rectangular frame.

Also, an object of the present invention resides in the provision of a molding strip which can be both shipped and stored' with other similar strips in an unassembled condition because of the manner in which the strips can be quickly assembled with a minimum amount of effort thereby both reducing the cost and enabling the seller thereof, by stocking strips of only a few different sizes, to maintain a stock capable of forming an extremely wide range of different size picture frames.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of meansfor guiding the cutting tool or saw at a 45 angle to the molding strip without the necessity of any external guidingrneans such as amiterboard, so as to enable the positioning of the strips at right angles to each other. 7

, Likewise, an objectof the present invention resides in the provision of a novel corner .clip means for maintaining the angularly positioned adjacent strips vinfthe desired orientation. 7 v

Another, object of the present invention resides in the provision of, preformedholes for both the reception of picture retaining means therethrough and, picture hanging means. i l i These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 'as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer'to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a rear elevational view of a picture frame formed by the use of the molding of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is anenlarged cross-sectional viewtaken substantially on a plane passing along line 2- -2 in FIGURE'l;fl-'-'- FIGURE 3 is; an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 33 in FIG- URE2;"

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional viewtaken substantially on a plane passing along line 4 4 of FIGURE 1; r t l FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view'of one corner of the picture frame with the corner clip thereon;

FIGURE-6 is aplan view of the corner clip before the formation thereof with the fold lines being illustrated in dotted lines; e

FIGURE 7 'is an enlarged view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 7-7 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged" view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is arear view of a modified form of holding strips positioned so as to form a, picture frame; and

FIGURE-l0 isa cross sectional'view taken substan: tially on a planepassing along line 101tl in FIGURE 8 and illustrating one of the triangular elongated recesses provided for the accommodation of either a small brad or a glazer point for retaining the picture within the frame; I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a picture frame, which picture frame 10 is formed by the interconnection of a plurality of molding strips 12, the interconnection of the molding strips being facilitated by-the use of metal corner clips'14. a

It Will be noted that only the rear surface of the strip 12 has been illustrated in detail with the configuration of the front of the strips being optional with the manufacturer, the'entire measuring and saw blade guiding functions being accomplished solely by configurations formed on the rear or hidden surface of the strips 12. As seen from the drawings, each of the strips 12 is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced quadrilaterally shaped raised portions 16 spaced apart slightly so as to form blade guiding grooves 18 therebetween. The form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 shows rhomboidal shaped portions extending inwardly from both sides of the strip toward a centrally located trapezoidal shaped portion withthe grooves 18 being formed between all of the adjoining sections. In order to provide the automatic cutting of thestr-ips 12 at a-.45 angle, the ribs 20 are specifically provided at such an .angle thereby avoiding any possibility of-animproperly formedcorner on .the picture frame It). f. i

The remaining two legsof the quadrilateral portions consist of inner ribs 22 and outer ribs 24 both extending longitudinally of the strip 12. It is contemplated that the inner rib 22 be selectively provided with apertures 26 therethrough so as to enable the use of small brads or glazer points 28 in order. to easily secure the glass, picture and backing 3t? within the completed frame. Similar though slightly larger apertures 32 are selectively provided through the outer ribs 24 for the reception therethrough of suitable frame positioning means such as sus pending wire 34 or various types of easel supports (not illustrated). It will be appreciated that the provision of such apertures 32 eliminates the necessity of using separate threaded eyelets as now commonly relied on in the hanging of pictures.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, each of the quadrilateral sections 16 is formed with the upper surfaces of the ribs 20, 22 and 24 tapered slightly from the outer edge of the section 16 toward the inner edge thereof with the outer ribs 24 and inner ribs 22 being inwardly offset from the edge of the strip 12 so as to provide two shoulders 36 and 38. It will also be noted that the upper surface of the angularly extending ribs 20 are provided with chamfered edges 40, the significance of which shall be gone into presently.

In order to interconnect the strips 12 at the corners of the frame it is contemplated that a suitable glue 42 be used with the corner clip or bracket 14 further rigidifying the joint both during the setting of the glue and after the glue has been set.

With reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, it will be appreciated that the clip 14 is to be formed from a single piece of suitable material, preferably metal, and, is formed so as to provide a flat upper surface 42, the inner end 44 of which is shaped so as to form a 90 angle and the outer end 46 of which is shaped to also form a 90 angle with the apex 48 thereof slightly shortened so as to enable the outer corner 50 of the frame to project slightly therebeyond thus facilitating the alignment of the angularly related strips. In order to secure the clip 14 to the angularly abutting strips 12, four depending edge flanges 52, 54, 56 and 58 are provided with the flanges 56 and 58 being positioned against the outer face of the ribs 24 of the adjacent strips 12, and the flanges 52 and 54 frictionally engaged with the outer surface of the far ribs of the adjoining rhomboidal portions thereby effecting a clamping action between the two strips 12. Additionally, it is contemplated that the clip 14 also be provided with two depending struck-out tabs 60 each adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the near ribs 20 so as to further exert a clamping force on the adjoining strips 12. As will now be appreciated, the chamfered surfaces are provided on the upper end of the ribs 20 so as to facilitate the engagement of the depending flanges 52 and 54, and the depending tabs 60 with the corresponding sides of the adjacent robs 20 thereby effecting a substantial clamping force on the adjoining strips 12.

While the preferred form of the invention is to include the provision of guiding grooves 18 at each end of the strip 12, it is also contemplated that such grooves can be provided at only one end of the strip substantially in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9, with the ungrooved end of the strip 12 being provided with an edge formed at a angle so as to mate with a similarly angled edge formed by a cutting along the grooves 18 in the manner explained in detail supra. The use of a corner clip similar to the corner clip 14 in conjuction with the modified strip 12 would also require a corresponding modification of the clip.

In view of the foregoing, it is considered to be readily apparent that a novel means has been defined wherein one desiring to provide a frame for a picture need only purchase a plurality of standard length strips and then quickly achieve the correct size frame by merely severing the strips by means of conventional cutting tools such as a hacksaw, and then quickly clamping the severed ends of the adjacent strips together thus forming a rectangular frame.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A picture frame molding consisting of an elongated strip having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of angularly extending cutting tool receiving stabilizing and guiding means located at spaced points on the rear surface thereof, said means including a plurality of spaced grooves formed by a plurality of aligned longitudinally spaced quadrilaterally shaped raised portions, each raised portion consisting of two longitudinally spaced parallel ribs extending at a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the strip and interconnected at their ends by inner and outer longitudinally extending ribs.

2. The structure of claim 1 'wherein the upper surface of each rib is provided with chamfered longitudinal edges.

3. A picture frame including a pair of elongated strips, said strips having abutting ends, the abutting end of each strip being angled at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the strip so as to orientate the strips at degrees to each other, each strip having a front surface and a rear surface, a plurality of angularly extending cutting tools receiving, stabilizing and guiding means located at spaced points on the rear surface of each strip, said means including a plurality of spaced grooves formed by a plurality of aligned longitudinally spaced quadrilaterally shaped raised portions, each raised portion consisting of two longitudinally spaced parallel ribs extending at a 45 degree angle to the longitudinal axis of the strip and interconnected at their ends by inner and outer longitudinally extending ribs, and a corner clip positioned over the adjacent raised portions of the abutted strips at the abutted corner, said corner clip including a pair of depending parallel flanges, one flange being received in the first groove outward from the abutted end on each strip in a manner so as to prevent separation of the strips.

4. The structure of claim 3 including a pair of right angularly related depending flanges on the clip engaged against the adjacent outer longitudinally extending rib on each strip.

5. The structure of claim 4 including a pair of depending parallel tabs on said clip, one tab being received behind the first 45 degree angled rib outward from the abutted ends on each strip so as to prevent separation of the strips.

6. A picture frame including a pair of elongated strips, said strips having abutting ends, the abutting end of each strip being angled at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the strip so as to orientate the strips at 90 degrees to each other, each strip having a front surface and a rear surface, a plurality of cutting tool receiving, stabi1izing and guiding grooves extending completely across the rear surface of each strip at a 45 degree angle to longitudinal axis thereof and parallel to the 45 degree angled end, said grooves being longitudinally spaced along each strip, each groove being formed by a pair of outwardly extending spaced ribs, the distance between the facing ribs of adjacent pairs of ribs being greater than the distance between the ribs of each pair, the first pair of groove forming ribs on each strip being spaced inwardly from the 45 degree end thereof, an outwardly extending rib on and parallel to the 45 degree end of each strip, said ribs being provided with chamfe-red upper longitudinal edges, and a corner clip frictionally engaged over the outwardly extending ribs of the abutted strips, said corner clip including a flat body and a pair of depending parallel flanges, one of said flanges being received in the first groove outward from the abutted ends on each strip in a manner so as to prevent separation of the strips, said chamfered edges facilitating the insertion of the flanges,

5 6 said corner clip further including a pair of depending 2,222,842 11/40, Humphrey 29-413 parallel tabs, one of said ta'bs being received behind the 2,534,741 12/50 Swenson 40-155 end -rib on the abutting end of each strip in a manner 2,581,843 1/ 52 Edwards 40-155 so as to prevent separation of the strips, said chamfered m edges facilitating the positioning of the tabs. 5 FORMGN PATENTS 757,262 9/56 GreatBritain.

RICHARD W. COOKE, JR., Primary Examiner.

JEROME SCHNALL, Examiner.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,133 4/18 Kidd 40-158 10 2,092,552 9/37 Larrick 2092.5 

1. A PICTURE FRAME MOLDING CONSISTING OF AN ELONGATED STRIP HAVING A FRONT SURFACE AND A REAR SURFACE, AND A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY EXTENDING CUTTING TOOL RECEIVING STABILIZING AND GUIDING MEANS LOCATED AT SPACED POINTS ON THE REAR SURFACE THEREOF, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED GROOVES FORMED BY A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED LONGITUDINALLY SPACED QUADRILATERALLY SHAPED RAISED PORTIONS, EACH RAISED PORTION CONSISTING OF TWO LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PARALLEL RIBS EXTENDING AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE STRIP AND INTERCONNECTED AT THEIR ENDS BY INNER AND OUTER LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIBS. 